Coin receiving mechanism



Feb. 23, 1965 .1. c. NYBERG com RECEIVING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 10, 1962v 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 23, 1965 J. c. NYBERG com RECEIVING MECHANISM 3Sheets-$heet 2 Filed Dec. 10, 1962 Jaw/v mrsE INVENTOR.

Feb. 23, 1965 J. c. NYBERG 3,

com RECEIVING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 10, 1962 i a sheds-sheet s ./0A /V Al 5586- INVENTOR.

3,170,556 COIN RECEIVING MECHANISM John C. Nyberg, North Hollywood,Calif., assignor to Paramount Pictures Corporation, New York, N.Y.-, acorporation of New York 3 j Filed Dec. 10, 1962, Ser. No. 243,239 6Claims. (Cl. 194-102) This invention relates to a mechanism forreceiving coins and more particularly to improvements therein.

Those persons who are connected with coin vending mechanisms of the typewhere the public is invited to purchase an article or service by firstdepositing coins in a slot, are well acquainted with the fact that somemembers of the public deem it a challenge to be able to retrieve theircoins from such mechanisms after once ha ing inserted them into' thecoin receiving apparatus. A number of different techniques by suchindividuals are usually used, but the one which is most diflicult toprevent, is the attachment of a string or a soft wire to a coin wherebyafter the coin has released the vending mechanism it can be pulled outof the slot into which it was inserted.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a mechanism forpreventing coin retrieval once said coin is deposited into saidmechanism.

Another object of this invention is to provide a unique coin receivingmechanism.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a noveland useful coin receiving mechanism.

These and other objects of this invention may be achieved in a coinreceiving mechanism in which the coin is inserted into the mechanismtrough a slot. The insertion of the coin actuates a bar which blocksfurther coin insertion until the coin processing operation has beencompleted. A lever is provided with this mechanism which must then beactuated. This lever actuates mechanism which carries the coin away fromthe coin slot over to another opening in the cash box. At the same time,the coin which has been deposited is sized. When the coin reaches thecash box it is allowed to fall into this cash box. By the time the coinreaches the cash box another coin carrying opening in the carryingmemberispositioned beneath the receiving coin slot and the bar which blocksthis receiving coin slot is then removed.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of this inventionare set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The inventionitself, both as to its organization and method of operation, as well asadditional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood f-romthe following description when read in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an isometric view illustrating equipment with which the coinreceiving mechanism is employed.

FIGURE 2 shows a view of the coin receiving mechanismin accordance withthis invention when looked at from one side.

FIGURE 3 is a view of the mechanism in accordance with this inventionwhen seen from the opposite side to the one shown in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a view in elevation of an embodiment of the invention shownin its initial or at rest operating position. 7

FIGURE 5 is a view in elevation of the embodiment of the invention shownin an intermediate operating position.

FIGURE 6 is a view of an embodiment of the invention as shown in thefinal position in the processing of a com.

FIGURE 7 is a view in section along the lines 7-7 in FIGURE 4 showingvarious positions of the coin together with a coin blocking mechanism.

United States Patent 0 FIGURE 8 is a view in section along the lines 8-8of FIGURE 7 also showing the operation of the coin blocking mechanism. i

Referring now to FIGURE 1, there'is shown an attachment 10 of a typewith which the coin receiving mechanism in accordance with thisinvention may be employed. It is to be understood that themechanismshown in FIG- URE l is by way of illustration and not by way oflimitation of the utility of this invention. The attachment shown inFIGURE 1 is one which is employed for converting a commercial televisionreceiver to a receiver capable of receiving subscription televisionprograms. Such apparatus is described in Patent No. 3,041,389 to Courtet al. In accordance with such a system the price for a televisionprogram is transmitted to the attachment 10, which is connected to atelevision receiver. is shown through a window 12, in the attachment.Money is deposited in the coin slot 14. Upon the deposit of any coin alever 16 is actuated. The amount of money which is deposited is sizedand the total of the value of the coins is shown in a credit window 18.When the amount in the credit window 18 equals the amount of the price12, then the button 20 is pushed. Upon the occurrence of this, thereceiver associated with the attachment can intelligibly reproduce thereceived program. The knobs 22 and 24 are respectively employed forselecting a channel having a program desired to be viewed and forcontrolling the volume of the sound which is reproduced. As indicated,the equipment briefly described in FIGURE 1, is merely by Way of exampleof equipment which can use the coin receiving mechanism in accordancewith this invention and should not be construed to limit the utilitythereof.

The coin receiving mechanism is just underneath the coin slot 14, andthe lever 16 constitutes a part thereof. FIGURE 2 is a side view of anembodiment of the invention. This constitutes a rotatably supported coincarrying member 30, which, broadly speaking, has the shape of arelatively smaller and larger disc, respectively A, 30B, separated by athick hub 30C. The member 30 has eight coin slots, 32., which areangularly spaced at degrees-around the member 39. When a coin isinserted into the coin opening 14, it can then pass into the one ofthese coin slots positioned thereunder. The

lever 16 is then moved in the direction shown by'the arrow in FIGURE 2which causes the coin receiving member 30 to be rotated approximately 22/2 degrees, thus carrying the coin therewith out from under the coinslot ,14. During this time the coin is being sized. When the lever 16has been moved to its extremity of motion, the coin 34 will then dropinto a second coin chute 31, which is positioned to receive it from thecoin carrying member.

The lever 16 is then released, and the coin carrying member 30 continuesto rotate for another 22 /2 degrees approximately, thereby bringing asecond one of the coin slots 32, into position under the coin opening14.

FIGURE 3 is a view of the embodiment of the invention from the sideopposite to the one shown in FIGURE 2. The lever 16 extends downward toa pivot 40 on which it is mounted. A spring 42 attached to the lever 16biases the lever 16 to its initial position as shown in the drawings. Acoin sizing member 44 is pivotably supported at a pivot point 46, whichis mounted in the housing wall 36. A spring 48 biases the sizing member44 so that it is urged to pivot in a clock-wise direction as shown onthe drawing in FIGURE '3. It is prevented from doing this by a cammingextension 50 which is supported in the lever 16. Accordingly, when thelever 16 is moved, after a coin has been deposited, the sizing member 44follows to the lever 16. The following motion continues Such price .ingmember.

until another extensionof the sizing member, not shown,

engages an edge of the coin. which is. in the coin slot in the coinreceiving member 30. This stops the following motion of the coin sizingmember 54.; The configura 'tions on the end'of the coinsizing member 44are then sensed'by other apapratus not shown, in response towhich'thevalue of the coin may be detected and to'talized FEGURES 7and-8 are two ditferen'tviews' 'ofa section of the embodiment of theinvention forthepurpose of showing the operation of the, coin blockingmechanism.

3 As shown in'FIGURE 7, the' coin 34 is insertedinto the with othercoins previously deposited by mechanism, not

shown. i V

FIGURES 4, 5 and 6 are views in elevation showing the various positionsassumed by the embodiment of the H invention respectively in the initialposition prior to the V insertion of a coiri, in a position to whichthe" apparatus is.

moved when the lever 16 is'moved to its extreme position, and theposition assumed when the lever has almost returned to its initialposition. As may be seen from the views of FIGURES 4, 5, and 6 theperiphery of the I upper disc portion 30B, has a ratchet gear shape.There is shown a coin chute operating pawl 6-), which is pivotablysupported by the pivot 62. The coin chute oper- 'ating pawl consists ofa forked portion iiA which engages the lever 16 to be movable thereby. ISuitably attached as :by welds 64, 66, to the coin chute operating pawl,is a coin shield member 68. This coin shield member has a slot therein,which, in the initial position,

opening of the mechanism and'comes' to rest in a suitabie opening inthe-coin carrying member. A coin blocking .member '72, their senses thepresence of a coin in the coin' slot in the coincarrying member andmoves a blocking tact therewith, by which time the coin shield 68 hascovaligns itself with the opening in the coin carrying mem- I ber'3d.

Broadly speaking,v the coin chute operating pawl ss, comprises aV-shaped member with the pivot being at the base of the V and the coinshield 63 being attached to one arm of the V and the forked leverengaging portion 60A being formed at the other arm of the V. The ends ofthe V arms are formed into actuating pawls, respectively 60C and 60D.There is also an intermediate actuating pawl section 60B, which extendsinto the V from the arm of the V adjacent the forked portion 60A.

At the top of the coin carrying member 36, there are formed a number ofcamming projections 70. Eight of these projections are formed and theyare equally spaced around the top of the coin carrying member. When thelever'16 is moved downward, it pivots the coin chute operating pawl 60in a counter-clockwise direction. As

a result, the coin shield 68 begins to move away from its position ofalignment with the coin slot in the coin carry- The pawl tip 60E engagesthe camming surface 70 to rotate the coin carrying member in a clockwisedirection. Thevpawl arm 60C next engages another one of the cam surfaces70, to limit the extent of motion of .thecoin chute operating'pawl 60.The limiting posi tion assumed by this apparatus is shown in FIGURE 5.As may be seen there, the pawl tip 66E engages the camming surface 70 asdoes also the pawl tip 60C. The

coin opening in the coin shield 68 has been moved until it is out ofalignment with any coin slots 32, in the coin carrying member 30. Thecoin carrying member has also been rotated on the order of 22 /2degrees, during which time the coin is being sized.

When the lever 16 is released, the spring 42 brings it back to itsinitial position. In doing this, the lever carries the coin chuteoperating pawl back with it. As

shown in FIGURE 6, in the course of being restored to. its initialposition, the pawl tip 60D of the coin chute operating pawl 60, engagesthe camming extension 70- on the top of the coin carryingmember, torotate the coin carrying member another 22 /2 degrees. This rotation isin the same direction as was given to the coin carrying member when thelever was pulled down iniered the opening and it is impossible to insertanother coin thereint-o. 7

There has accordingly beendescribed and shown herein a novel, useful,coin receiving mechanism which covers the coin receiving opening in amanner to prevent the insertion of additional coins once the first coinhas been inserted thereinto, until said first coin has been processed.

In'addition, the mechanism prevents the retrieval of a coin which hasbeen inserted thereinto, despite the attachment of a wire or spring bycarrying the coin to a position where intervening'structures assurethis.

I claim: v I

1. In apparatus of the type wherein coins are inserted into a coinreceiving slot therein to effectuate 'a purchase, a coin receivingmechanism comprising a coin receiving chute displaced a' predetermineddistance from saidcoin receiving slot, a movable coin carrying membersupported between said coin receiving slot and said coin receivingchute, said coin carrying member containing a plurality of coin carryingslots therein spaced twice said predetermined distance apart, means forsupporting said coin car- 7 rying member with one of its coincarryingslots, aligned with said coin receiving slot, means for movingsaid movable coin carrying member to move the coin carrying slot alignedwith said coin receiving slot to alignment with said coin receivingchute, and thereafter to align the succeeding coin carrying slot toalignment with said 'coin're-, ceiving slot, a coin slot blockingmember, and meanssupported between said coin receiving slot and saidcoin carrying member to'block said coin receiving slot during motion ofsaid coin carrying member.

slot blocking member comprises a flat member extending between said coinreceiving slot and said coin carrying member, said flat member having acoin slot therein aligned with the coin receiving slot and the coinreceiving slot in said coin carrying member, and means for moving saidfiat member with said coin carrying member to move its coin slot awayfrom its aligned position until the succeeding coin carrying slot insaid coin-carrying member is aligned with. the coin receiving slot.

3. In apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said coin carrying membercomprises a rotatable member having the shape of two spaced disksseparated by athick hub and having a plurality of coin receiving slotsequally spaced thereabout.

4.'In apparatus of the type wherein coins are inserted into a coinreceiving slot therein to effectuate a purchase, a coin receivingmechanism comprising a coin carrying ,member rotatably supported belowand with one side. ad-

jacent said coin receiving slot, said coin carrying member comprising anupper-and lower disc separated by a thick 2. In apparatus as recitedin'claim 1 wherein said coin thereunder, a coin receiving chutepositioned adjacent the side of said coin carrying member which isopposite to the side adjacent said coin receiving slot, said coinreceivmg chute being disposed to be aligned with and to re ceive coinsfrom a coin carrying slot which is moved half of the distance betweencoin slots away from said coin receiving slot, means for rotating saidcoin carrying member through the distance required to carry a coincarrying slot from alignment with said coin receiving slot to alignmentwith said coin receiving chute and then to align a succeeding coin slotwith said coin receiving slot, and a flat member mounted on said meansfor rotating to be movable therewith, said flat member extending betweensaid coin receiving slot and said coin carrying member and including acoin slot aligned with said coin receiving slot and a coin carrying slotonly while said means for rotating is inactive whereby operation of saidmeans for rotating blocks passage of a coin between said coin receivingslot and said coin carrying member.

5. In apparatus as recited in claim 4 wherein said means for rotatingsaid coin carrying member comprises a V-shaped member, pivotablysupported at the apex of said V, a plurality of camming projections onthe upper disc of said coin carrying member, a movable lever, means inone arm of said V-shaped member for engaging said movable lever to bepivotally movable as said lever is moved, and means on the ends of saidV-shaped member for engaging the camming projections of said upper discto rotate said coin carrying member in one direction as said V-shapedmember is pivoted reciprocally by said lever.

6. In apparatus as recited in claim 4 wherein there is included adjacentsaid coin receiving slot means for blocking said coin receiving slotupon insertion of a coin into one of said coin carrying slots.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,211,060 Blum et a1. Jan. 2, 1917 1,694,726 Werner Dec. 11, 19282,810,465 Miller Oct. 22, 1957 2,839,172 Kolsky et al June 17, 19582,924,320 Greenwald Feb. 9, 1960

1. IN APPARATUS OF THE TYPE WHEREIN COINS ARE INSERTED INTO A COINRECEIVING SLOT THEREIN TO EFFECTUATE A PURCHASE, A COIN RECEIVINGMECHANISM COMPRISING A COIN RECEIVING CHUTE DISPLACED A PREDETERMINEDDISTANCE FROM SAID COIN RECEIVING SLOT A MOVABLE COIN CARRYING MEMBERSUPPORTED BETWEEN SAID COIN RECEIVING SLOT AND SAID COIN RECEIVINGCHITE, SAID COIN CARRYING MEMBER CONTAINING A PLURALITY OF COIN CARRYINGSLOTS THEREIN SPACED TWICE SAID PREDETERMINED DISTANCE APART, MEANS FORSUPPORTING SAID COIN CARRYING MEMBER WITH ONE OF ITS COIN CARRYING SLOTSALIGNED WITH SAID COIN RECEIVING SLOT, MEANS FOR MOVING SAID MOVABLECOIN CARRYING MEMBER TO MOVE THE COIN CARRYING SLOT ALIGNED WITH SAIDCOIN RECEIVING SLOT TO ALIGNMENT WITH SAID COIN RECEIVING CHUTE, ANDTHEREAFTER TO ALIGN THE SUCCEEDING COIN CARRYING SLOT TO ALIGNMENT WITHSAID COIN RECEIVING SLOT, A COIN SLOT BLOCKING MEMBER, AND MEANSSUPPORTED BETWEEN SAID COIN RECEIVING SLOT AND SAID COIN CARRYING MEMBERTO BLOCK SAID COIN RECEIVING SLOT DURING MOTION OF SAID COIN CARRYINGMEMBER.